Product News: Test & Measuring Instruments

Linear PCM Recorders capture pure sound up to 130 dB SPL.

Press Release Summary:

October 17, 2012 -
Designed to capture and playback sound exactly how users experience it, LS-12 features two 90Â° directional stereo condenser microphones with frequency response of 60 Hz to 20 kHz, while LS-14 compliments microphones with third omnidirectional center TRESMIC, increasing frequency response to 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Mode Select Dial, located on bottom right-hand corner, can be set to Tuner, Manual, Quick, and Smart modes.Â Files are recorded in PCM or MP3 modes and saved to internal memory or SD/SDHC card.

Original Press Release

Directional stereo microphones capture pure sound up to 130dB SPL and Mode Select Dial allow users to set optimal recording levels without having to go into menu settings

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., – Olympus, the world’s market leader for portable digital voice recorders and professional dictation devices, announces the release of the LS-12 and LS-14 Linear PCM digital handheld audio recorders. Successors to the overwhelmingly popular LS-7 and LS-10 PCM recorders, the Olympus LS-12 and LS-14 effortlessly capture and playback pristine, better-than-CD quality sound up to 130dB SPL with new on-board directional stereo microphones and amplifier. Ease of use is another key feature of the LS-12 and LS-14 as users can set optimal recording levels on a “Mode Select Dial” located on the face of the recorder rather than having to go through menu settings. There are also functions specifically for musicians, including overdub recording, Metronome and Chromatic Tuner capabilities.

“The Olympus LS-12 and LS-14 Linear PCM recorders allow you to capture and playback live music and sound exactly how you experience it,” said Amy Leslie, Sr. Marketing Business Development Manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The revolutionary part of these recorders is that you don’t have to spend time playing around in the menu settings to find the perfect recording level to capture sound based on your environment. Just turn the dial to your ideal mode and press record.”

Touch That Dial While the 1 ¾ inch LCD menu screen is intuitive and easy to follow, recording professional sound is made even easier by the Mode Select Dial and Smart Mode features. The Mode Select Dial, located on the bottom right-hand corner of both recorders, can be set to the following modes: Tuner, Manual, Quick and Smart. Tuner Mode sets the recorder as a Chromatic Tuner for musical instruments. In Manual Mode, experienced users can adjust the recording level manually, adjusting the level while playing music or capturing sound. Smart Mode is ideal for anyone from the novice to the seasoned veteran. It will automatically adjust to the optimum recording level with a single touch of the record button. By entering the loudest sound, Smart mode automatically adjusts to capture the best and professional-quality audio. While in Quick Mode, the user can immediately begin recording without adjusting levels.

Professional Sound A hallmark of the Olympus LS series has always been superior sound quality, and the LS-12 and LS-14 take that reputation to a new level. The LS-12 features two new internal 90-degree directional stereo condenser microphones with a frequency response of 60Hz to 20 kHz, allowing the user to capture lower-bass frequencies. The LS-14 compliments those directional stereo condenser microphones with a third omnidirectional center “TRESMIC,” increasing the frequency response range to 20Hz - 20 kHz. This makes the LS-14 an ideal recorder for an incredibly loud environment. Both recorders support sound pressure levels up to 130 decibels, more than enough to capture extreme sound from a rock band without experiencing clipping issues.

Complimenting the new high-quality stereo microphones is a new amplifier circuitry. The audio and system circuitry are separated on the Olympus LS-12 and LS-14 to minimize sound degradation and keep the signal true. A switchable low-cut filter enables users to eliminate low-frequency sound at two different settings, 100Hz or 300Hz. With this feature, unwanted background noises can be greatly minimized.

A Musician’s Best Friend Ideal for any musician’s gear bag, the Olympus LS-12 and LS-14 recorders feature overdubbing capabilities, allowing sound recording to take place over the original sound while simultaneously monitoring it through the Playback Synchro Recording feature. Playback speed control can be set anywhere from 50% to 300%, perfect for budding musicians to pick up tracks at their own pace. A Metronome feature allows users to keep flawless time, and the Chromatic Tuner function ensures accurate tuning for each musical instrument selected. Status for the Metronome and Chromatic Tuner are clearly displayed on the LCD menu screen. Metronome tempo is displayed through flashing buttons above the menu.

Specifications and Accessories Files are recorded in PCM or MP3 modes and saved to the internal memory (2GB for the LS-12 and 4GB for the LS-14) or on SD / SDHC (up to 32GB) cards. The LS-12 and LS-14 operate on two AA alkaline batteries or two AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. The LS-14 recorder boast up to 48 hours of continuous recording while the LS-12 offers an impressive 50 hours. They also include mic, line-in, and ear jacks and a tripod hole on the back for a clip stand. The LS-12 comes in gunmetal grey, while the LS-14 comes in black. For a complete list of specifications, visit the Olympus LS-12 product page and LS-14 product page.

The LS-12 and LS-14 are packaged with a USB cable and two AA alkaline batteries. In addition, the LS-14 comes with additional accessories, including a case and our new stand clip, which attaches to the tripod hole by allowing the device to be clipped directly to a microphone stand or displayed on a table reducing surface vibration.

Pricing and Availability Packed with cutting-edge technology and easy-to-use features, these handheld masterpieces will hit all major retail stores at the recommended price of $149.99 for the LS-12 and $199.99 for the LS-14 in early-November 2012. They will also be available directly from Olympus at www.getolympus.com.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhance people’s lives every day. These include:

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com.

*Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. All trademarks and registered trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective holders, in the US and/or other countries.